Santa Sleigh Project Delivers Christmas to Teen Parents

Many Louise Dean Centre students struggle to create a holiday celebration for their children due to financial and life challenges. That’s where the Santa Sleigh Project comes in.

Since the project was created 15 years ago, generous donors like Mike and Kim Szuch and their family have supported teen moms at Christmas. The Szuchs give in memory of their mother Rosalie, who served as librarian at Louise Dean Centre for 35 years.

This seasonal tradition brings joy to young moms, dads and their babies by providing them with gift cards so they can choose the items that they most want and need.

This year, 60 young families will have a wonderful Christmas thanks to 23 individuals, families, employee groups, service clubs and corporations who contributed to the Santa Sleigh Project.

These generous folks were treated to home-baked goodies and guided tours by student ambassadors December 8. The students thanked those in attendance, explaining how programs like the Santa Sleigh Project help them know that they are surrounded by a caring community.

Paramount Resources Ltd. stepped up in a big way this year. The company decided to forgo employee gifts in order to support the Santa Sleigh Project with a $10,000 donation.

“We are pleased to be part of such a worthwhile, life changing organization,” said Kelly Woodrow, Manager, Corporate Services. “The fact that these young people have guidance in learning to budget the financial aid they receive is so important for their futures – further evidence that every component of the programming at Louise Dean is so well thought out.”

On behalf of the students, we want to thank the following donors for “filling” the Santa Sleigh to overflowing this year:

Daughters of Penelope

Denise Barton, Calgary Orthodontics

Dinner Optimist Club

Dr. Claude Boutin

Dr. Kamelchuck’s office

Faculty of Social Work U of C

Heritage Lions Club

Inter Pipeline Ltd.

Jackie Crooks, Shell Canada

Janet Hewitt and Friends

Jessica LaCroix

Joey Valenzuela

Kathy Fraser and Friends

Margaret Bates and Family

Mike and Kim Szuch and Family

Nadia Cassidy

Paramount Resources Ltd.

Robertson FSI Inc.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Steven Sharpe and Teresa Caffrey

The Think Sun Preschool Academy

Vanessa Kearly, AHS South Campus

Yun Lee and Jason McGonigal

When a teenager is expecting or parenting, finishing high school may seem daunting. That’s where Louise Dean Centre comes in. It’s a place where young parents can find the academic, emotional, financial and child care support they need to succeed. READ MORE

ABOUT CFS

We are committed to building strong families. Our programs and services respond to the challenges that threaten families and leave them vulnerable. We focus on enhancing the mental health and well-being of our clients, empowering parents, nurturing children’s healthy development and enabling success in school.